PETA Tells Nevada School to Dump Donkey Basketball

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is not happy about a Nevada school fundraiser in which a game of basketball includes players riding on donkeys.

PETA has issued an "action alert" on its Web site, asking concerned humans to contact Lyon County School District Superintendent Caroline McIntosh and Yerington High School Principal Jerry Ogolin to tell them to cancel the Donkey Basketball fundraiser scheduled for March 1 at the Nevada school.

So is this just a bit of harmless fun? Not according to PETA. The group says donkey basketball encourages kids to be cruel, and that the game also is dangerous for the human players. A story on the PETA's Web site says "donkeys who are mistreated or forced into loud, confusing environments can become frightened and may lash out to protect themselves," and that bipedal donkey basketball participants have been injured more than once during these events.

Buckeye Donkey Ball, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one company that offers a number of donkey-related games, including Donkey Basketball, Donkey Baseball and Donkey Racing.

According to a contract posted on its Web site, Buckeye Donkey Ball takes at least half of the profits from the sponsoring school or organization. "After deducting only admission taxes, if any, BUCKEYE will receive 60 percent of all ticket sales or a $1,200.00 minimum payment, whichever is greater. When ticket sales exceed $3,000.00 BUCKEYE will receive 50 percent of all ticket sales," the site states.

As for potential donkey dangers, Buckeye Donkey Ball requires all participants to sign a waiver, which does contain some language about how the donkeys should be treated. For example, "Players MUST NOT pull hair, ears or tails of donkeys or each other. Use caution when catching a donkey and please stay off his rear end at all times." As for the humans, "Please do not push or pull anyone from their donkey."

PETA offers suggestions for fundraisers it feels are less cruel, such as "rubber-duck derby races," which, according to group, raised $133,000 for three Oregon Rotary Clubs.

What do you think? Is donkey basketball cruel? Are there better ways for schools to raise money? Perhaps a Donkey Kong tournament?

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My father played donkey baseball in the 60's for the VFW in Ct.He did fall off but it was not the fault of the donkey he fell getting on it's back. I dont see anything wrong with any type of fund raiser using donkey's.or any type of well trained animal . From what I read they are treated very well and I am sure the ASPCA are keeping a very good look at them before and after the game.

omg... PETA is at it again. we had this at my high school once and they stopped it bc the donkeys kept pooping on the floor. the donkeys were not treated poorly, and anyway, donkeys were made to carry heavy loads.

i understand treating animals humanely, but PETA is just ridiculous. get over it. its not like its a massive donkey slaughter.

We can always go back to dwarft throwing contests, or MMA matches. Heres an idea for a fund raiser---get a really big stadium, and let people choose up into two teams. The object is to throw, kick, or pass a ball down to the end of the field to get points. Players can tackle, hit, kick, bite, slam, head butt, twist necks, and whatever to eliminate their opponents from the game.

I was in high school in the 80's and we teachers vs. students and it was great fun. There was never any mistreatment, etc. This has been going on for decades and this is the first I've heard PETA object. I guess they are running out of things to protest? What a JOKE.

Is this really any different from horse racing, polo, or horse back riding. I personally ride horses and I compete in Jumpers and I,ve fallen off many times before and we use crops to make sure they go over. Is that animal creulty too? Or if you have ever watched a horse race do you notice the sticks the jockeys are waving everywhere? those are crops and they hurt! Or is polo any different riding around with those big, heavy mallets. What if one hits a horse? So are things that we enjoy going to be seen as creulty as well?

Yes jazzierose, they would! Like you I have been on horses since I was 5 yrs old. I rodeo, well, barrel race to be exact and PETA people are always right there to stick their nose where it doesn't belong. Yes, there are some rodeo events that I don't care for like calf roping, but just because once in a blue moon a calf gets hurt, thats no reason to cause an uproar. I'm sure in your sport horses have been hurt before too right? Or what they did at Westminister Dog show. I also show dogs and I'll tell you something, PETA are the ones killing animals not dog breeders. Breeders make it possible to get a good purebred dog, with good conformation. I have mutts too that I have saved but I will not ever be able to understand why people put up with PETA!

So. . . basically PETA thinks this is abuse because the donkeys are being ridden inside? Hmmmm. . .seems nicer for the donkeys than being outside in the weather. Anyone who knows horses can watch the donkey's ears- some of them love it and are watching the ball!

TheTalkies

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